BEETHOVEN 200 YEARS AGO TODAY: Thursday, September 14, 1826 (approximately)

There is no conversation with Baron Stephan von Ertmann in the surviving conversation books; assuming he did indeed visit Beethoven today as was suggested in yesterday’s conversation book, then a separate book, now lost, must have been used. It’s possible his wife, pianist Dorothea von Ertmann, might have also come, and Beethoven gave the book to her as a souvenir of their visit.

Unpaid assistant Karl Holz returns from Baden probably today, and they have mid-day dinner together. Beethoven is not happy about the haircut he got on Wednesday, September 13. Holz tells him he instructed the barber to cut it only in the back; he should leave it as it is on the sides.

Uncle Ludwig questions Nephew Karl’s desire to stay with his mother after he is released from the hospital, but before he enters the army. Holz wonders whether it really makes a difference, if she is with him all day through now.

Holz says that the food is so overcooked that it cannot even be cut.

Beethoven asks whether Karl has completed his religious education with the Liguorian priest. Yes, Holz tells him. Karl showed himself so converted that the priest did not think it necessary anymore. “Karl said that he fully expressed his remorse to him.”

Mathias Artaria will come tomorrow morning at 11 o’clock to see Beethoven. He will have the chemical ink with him. [Artaria had mentioned this ink to Beethoven on September 10, Conversation Book 120 at 32r, when he said “Then in the future, everything with chemical ink.” However, exactly what Beethoven intended to use this ink for is unclear.]

Holz complains that his stomach is upset.

Yesterday, Holz saw Adolph Schlesinger at Haslinger’s music shop. Old Steiner [Holz calls him the “old Tobias”] was also there. “I took the opportunity to tell the Jew that he should not count on Beethoven ever laying his hand on the proofs of the re-engraved quartets that were sent. [That is, the quartets sold to Schott’s, op.127; and to Artaria, op.130, would not be available in revised form for Schlesinger’s projected Collected Works of Beethoven.] The two Tobiases were completely moved by this and exclaimed: ‘That is wonderful! That is honorable! That is worthy of a Beethoven!'” Holz is glad that the others were there to witness it. “You would stand in your own way, if you wanted to sell an upcoming work, and the publisher knew that you have offered it in the hands of another one to re-publish them. Who would then publish another work from you with a good conscience? Anyway, the author will almost always be betrayed.”

Holz is further critical of the book-buying public and musical press. “Among 1000 people who read and buy books, barely 50 understand music. The music exchange mainly consists of ephemeral articles; the exchange of the classical articles we will reserve for ourselves for the next century.”

Beethoven asks whether Holz is not in trouble with his new fiancée Elisabeth Bogner for constantly interrupting his time with her to come serve him. Holz jokes, “I told her at once that she must not be jealous; Beethoven is my first wife.”

Holz then tells Beethoven more about his intended. “She has done very much to educate herself; that really speaks in her favor.” She is very domestic. “She herself helps with the washing, even though she does not need to in order to save money. She plays the piano, speaks French, Italian, and English.” Does she play fortepiano, Beethoven asks. “She is only allowed to play piano on me,” Holz jokes, making wordplay that Beethoven probably enjoyed between the musical instrument and musical expression.

Beethoven wishes that he could take as much pleasure in the company of Nephew Karl as Holz does with Elisabeth. Holz tells him, “You can only expect joy from him through a step just as unexpected as this unfortunate case which caused you such pain. Perhaps the military career is the only one where he can become something in a hurry, or can easily perish. Nothing else can be expected on the regular track; maybe it will work to his advantage.” Beethoven doubts that Karl can advance very far since Austria is at peace. Holz answers, “Not in times of peace, but it will not always remain like that.”

Conversation Book 120, 47v-51r. That concludes Conversation Book 120. Conversation Book 121 probably begins being used tomorrow, Friday, September 16. Given the conversation about Elisabeth Bogner, Holz probably returns to Baden bei Wien this afternoon, though he appears to be back in Vienna once again tomorrow.

Art and music dealer A. Pennauer offers for sale the Grande Marche héroïque for piano four hands, on the occasion of the coronation of Nicholas I, Emperor of all the Russias, op.66, by Franz Schubert, as well as the same work arranged for piano solo. Pennauer also offers the Grande Marche funèbre for piano four hands on the occasion of the death of his majesty Alexander I, Emperor of all the Russias, Schubert’s op.55 (also available for piano solo). These works are today catalogued as D.885 and D.859, respectively. The coronation march is here performed by Daejin Kim and Chloe Mun.